Yahoo News Daily politics briefing - April 24
All the latest political updates, as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has promised an extra £75 billion in defence spending over the next six years to put the UK arms industry on a “war footing”.
Latest stories
The TelegraphThe ‘Dark Fleet’ powering Putin’s Ukraine war machine is out of hand. It’s time to act
“Shipping – it’s one damned thing after another,” the editor of Lloyds’ List wrote last week.
- The Telegraph
US shared ‘gobsmacking’ Covid lab leak file with UK
The US shared “gobsmacking” evidence with Britain at the height of the Covid pandemic suggesting a “high likelihood” that the virus had leaked from a Chinese lab, The Telegraph can reveal.
- Business Insider
Ukraine highlights Russia's 'line of hell.' Claim of dozens of tanks and military vehicles destroyed on one sector of the Donetsk front.
Fighting has intensified in the Donetsk region in recent months as Russia pushes to take more ground around Avdiivka.
- The Telegraph
The far-Left mob has seized control of Britain’s streets – and its borders
At best, Britain’s asylum system is inefficient and ineffectual. At worst – and I fear this is probably closer to the truth – it is incredibly dangerous, studiously working against the country’s best interests from economic flourishing to public safety.
- Evening Standard
Watch: Awkward moment defeated Susan Hall 'left hanging' as she tries to shake Sadiq Khan's hand
Mayor Khan fails to thank or pay tribute to Susan Hall in his victory speech
- The Telegraph
SNP activist to run against John Swinney for party leadership
An SNP activist is planning to ruin John Swinney’s coronation as first minister by running against him to become party leader.
- CNN
Prosecutors play secret phone call between Cohen and Trump
Prosecutors played an audio recording of a 2016 phone call between President Trump and his then attorney Michael Cohen in court. On the call you hear Trump respond to Cohen saying he needed to open a company, and that he’s spoken with the Trump Organization’s chief financial officer, Allen Weisselberg about how to set the whole thing up. This company was to facilitate the $150,000 payment to Karen McDougal.
- Euronews
Russia blames 'hostile' Baltic countries for split in relations
Moscow vowed to respond to what it called confrontational actions by Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia with asymmetric measures.
- Wales Online
DWP review warning issued to people on State Pension, PIP and Universal Credit
During the 2024/25 financial year, the Department for Work and Pensions will measure a sample of claims from five specific benefits and the State Pension
- The Telegraph
Ireland’s blind hatred of Brexit has destroyed its borders. Starmer may do the same to ours
In 2017, when Britain began its disengagement talks with the EU, Ireland laid down two inviolable principles. First, no border: not so much as a matchstick to mark where the EU’s customs territory began. Second, no direct talks between the London and Dublin. If the Brits had anything to say, they should talk to Michel Barnier.
- Evening Standard
London mayoral election: Results from council polls suggest Ulez could still be problem for Sadiq Khan
The Conservatives won council by-elections in Hillingdon, Sutton and Wandsworth
- The Telegraph
How Mark Carney handed Labour the ultimate prize
When a Tory donor met Mark Carney for the first time at a glitzy business event in New York, he was distinctly impressed.
- The Telegraph
China is now engaged in open hybrid warfare against the West
Conflict rages in Gaza and Ukraine, and tensions heighten over Taiwan. In Beijing, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has just held difficult talks with Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi. Despite Xi Jinping’s statement at a joint press conference that the US and China should “seek common ground … rather than engage in vicious competition”, efforts at detente seem to have been fruitless.
- My London
Mayor elections: Fall of Sadiq Khan or Susan Hall to buck Tory trend - what Londoners are saying about London mayoral elections
Counting is well underway as the results of the London mayoral elections 2024 are set to be revealed
- The Daily Beast
The Dramatic Meeting Now Stalling Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Case
Photo Illustration by Luis G. Rendon/The Daily Beast/Getty Images/Everett CollectionAn off-hand remark—or a terribly misconstrued one—by a federal prosecutor at a private meeting with a defense attorney in Donald Trump’s classified documents case may add yet another delay to the former president’s already severely delayed trial.U.S. District Judge Aileen M. Cannon has already earned a reputation for making bizarre rulings that favor the man who appointed her to the bench, pushing back a trial th
- The New York Times
Gallows Humor and Talk of Escape: Trump’s Possible Return Rattles Capital
WASHINGTON — It has become the topic of the season at Washington dinner parties and receptions. Where would you go if it really happens? Portugal, says a former member of Congress. Australia, says a former agency director. Canada, says a Biden administration official. France, says a liberal columnist. Poland, says a former investigator. They’re joking. Sort of. At least in most cases. It’s a gallows humor with a dark edge. Much of official Washington is bracing for the possibility that former Pr
- PA Media: UK News
SNP to retain just 15 of 43 seats with Labour set to overtake in Scotland: poll
It also says John Swinney is the popular choice as next first minister for Scotland.
- CNN
RNC chief counsel resigns after two months
The Republican National Committee’s chief counsel Charlie Spies has resigned two months after accepting the position.
- The Telegraph
‘We call it the valley of death’: inside Britain’s battle to rearm itself
Described as an Apache gunship that fits in the back of your car, the British-made Hydra drone has the potential to be a game-changer on the battlefield.
- CNN
The moment Trump defied gravity is coming back to haunt him
Being elected president shortly after surviving the publication of the leaked “Access Hollywood” tape in 2016 is the moment in which Donald Trump defied political gravity.